Stillwater to use $115K to continue planning along the Hudson River waterfront

STILLWATER -- The town of Stillwater has secured $115,000 in funding to continue long-term planning efforts along the Hudson River waterfront.

Town officials said they hope these grants will enable the town to continue pursuing lasting and sustainable growth as Luther Forest Technology Campus, GlobalFoundries and other economic development projects in the area continue to influence economic and population growth within the region.

The Hudson River Valley Greenway, the Department of State and the Capital District Transportation Council are providing the funding.

The Hudson River Valley Greenway in November 2012 awarded a Greenway Conservancy grant for the Stillwater Historic Multi-Use Bikeway and Champlain Canalway Trail network.

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The Stillwater Multi-Use Trail currently extends south from the village of Stillwater to the Riverside neighborhood. The proposed expansion would continue the trail north.

The town's goal is to develop a safe and inviting trail network that links its Riverside neighborhood, the village of Stillwater and Saratoga National Historical Park along the Hudson River and Champlain Canal corridors.

The town also was awarded an Office of Communities and Waterfronts Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan grant in December 2012. The grant will support the Hudson River Revitalization Strategy, which will focus on boosting the local economy, creating recreational access and opportunities and promoting historical and environmental preservation.

The strategy will capitalize on natural, cultural and economic resources, including the Hudson River waterfront, Champlain Canal, historic hamlets and neighborhoods, historic sites and parks, existing and proposed recreational facilities, new and existing business opportunities and infrastructure improvements.

This initiative is part of a greater effort to improve the Hudson River waterfront and is intended to complement local initiatives, including the recently funded grant for the Stillwater Multi-Use Trail and the town's efforts to develop design standards for the Route 4 corridor.

The Capital District Transportation Council awarded Stillwater a grant to develop a set of zoning district revisions and design guidelines along the Route 4 corridor as an expansion of the Route 4 Corridor Plan. The goal will be to promote walk-able, mixed-use development where there is existing development and to preserve rural and historical areas north of the village and near Saratoga Battlefield.

Town officials attribute the success in securing the grants to planning measures aimed at preserving the character of the community and promoting multimodal access while also providing commercial and residential resources for the growing population.